Ray Dodson

1929 - 2025

Ray Dodson
11/13/1929 - 02/03/2025

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
Born in San Francisco and raised in Mountain View, California, Ray graduated from Mountain View Union High School and then went to Stanford University where he received, with Great Distinction, a Bachelor Degree and Master Degree in Civil Engineering. He later went on to receive an MBA from Alexander Hamilton Institute.
He married his high school sweetheart, Dona Hileman in 1951. They were married for 73 years. Following receiving his Master Degree he entered the US Army and served 2 years during the Korean War.
He returned to California and was immediately employed as an engineer, with the Guy F Atkinson Construction Company. He worked for Atkinson for 33 years, ending his employment as a Vice-President and Construction Manager. Ray retired early at the age of 57 and immediately started his second career, working as Arbitrator and Disputes Review Board Member. Over the ensuing 28 years, he served on over 80 arbitrations, primarily as the sole arbitrator and on over 80 Dispute Review Boards, 40 as Chairman, with a total construction value in excess of $9 billion dollars.
Ray was honored for his contributions to many organizations and the people they serve, including: Stanford University, Valley Presbyterian Church, The Beavers, the Dispute Review Board Foundation, California Pops Orchestra, and the Elks.
Ray's great love of sports never left him. He enjoyed playing golf, tennis and was a member of the Peninsula Golf and Country Club in San Mateo. During his army stint, he pitched his Fort Lee Army Softball team to the all army softball championship in 1953.
Ray was an avid gardener and enjoyed spending many hours working in his garden of fruits and vegetables, giving his excess produce to friends and neighbors.
Ray and Dona belonged to several ballroom dancing clubs and enjoyed dancing together wherever they went. Ray and Dona were avid travelers, having made more than 33 cruises and visiting over 40 countries and islands.
Ray is survived by the love of his life, Dona, his son David and grandchildren Joseph and Sydney Dodson.
Those who desire may make donations in memory of Ray to Valley Presbyterian Church, 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028.